Understanding & Supporting Autistic Students In Specialised Schools

From 2025 to 2026 I have had the pleasure of my company Paul Isaacs Consultancy Ltd training staff and also working as a consultant around the farming placements talking to co-farmers, staff and volunteers.

Last week I gave my feedback to the team along with being a part of their staff training day, it was very informative.

I'm pleased to collaborate in future endeavors.

Here is the feedback from Thursday.

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your message and the link to the books.

We all felt it was a great day, your session was well received by all staff and volunteers, for your relaxed and approachable way of delivery. But also your clear deep and personal knowledge.
It's been a real privilege to work with you.

Have a lovely weekend
Jenny

Many thanks to the FarmAbility Team.

Paul Isaacs 2026

Later this year I will be speaking at NEIGH, if you are interested in attending please contact the team at

[email protected]

Many thanks

Paul Isaacs 2026

Paul Isaacs Consultancy Ltd will be at a local networking event in June 2026.

We’re pleased to be holding a LCSS Networking event showcasing the Best Start Family Hubs initiative in Oxfordshire.

This will be an exciting opportunity to hear the latest information about the Best Start Family Hubs launch in Oxfordshire and to connect with our community partners who play a vital role in supporting families with children. This session will share what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how community-led organisations can link in with the Family Hubs approach so that families can access joined-up help at the right time.

For more information on the Government initiative

https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/

I had a great morning talking at The Springfields Academy webinar about autism & exposure anxiety.

Paul Isaacs 2026

I think this is where Donna Williams' autism fruit analogy works at looking at different "autisms" as opposed to seeing it as a generic & static condition.

If one was to take egalitarian approach it would be accepting of all realities beyond that status quo, political affiliations, in fighting and so forth.

If we are talking about people then let their realities be known regardless, so people can learn, care, support and empower.

I would go further in saying about meaningful and socially binding support structures that happen in the real world as opposed to endless virtual discourse would be welcomed.

Paul Isaacs 2026

"They Really Save Us From Ourselves" | Journal of Bioethical Inquiry | Springer Nature Link Autism research depends on the participation of autistic children and adults as well as their families, but researchers have not routinely involved autistic people in the planning or ex*****on of research. Community-engaged research practices, standard in other fields such as areas of public health,...

I presenting tomorrow, tickets still available. 🙂👍

Exposure Anxiety with Paul Isaacs

A free webinar for parents, families and carers

Professionals' tickets are just £5

Wednesday 20th May, 10am-11.30am

Paul Isaacs is an autistic speaker, trainer, consultant and author. His career as a public speaker started in 2010.

Paul was diagnosed with autism at the age of 24 in 2010 and visual perception challenges, scotopic sensitivity syndrome & learning difficulties in 2012. Paul didn't gain functional speech until he was 7/8 years old.

This session will explore autism and exposure anxiety (a syndrome which was coined by the late Donna Williams in her autobiography ‘Nobody Nowhere’ in 1991).

Paul will explain the mechanics of Exposure Anxiety, it's presentations, overlap with other similar conditions and look at strategies to aid and empower individuals and make meaningful connections.

Booking link

https://www.goodhub.com/go/the-springfields-academy-reach-south-academy-trust-209698

I am glad this research has come about - Donna Williams Fruit Salad model of autism always included mental conditions, personality types (including disordered extremes), gut and digestive issues ranging from dietary disabilities, food intolerances, food allergies, vitamin malabsorption, salt of ester sensitivity (salicylate sensitivity, gluten/wheat/casein intolerances & metabolic conditions.

Paul Isaacs 2026

Metabolic Dysfunction Underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder and Potential Treatment Approaches

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5318388/

Dr. John Gannage
Salicylate Sensitivity In Children With Autism

https://integrative-medicine.ca/salicylate-sensitivity-in-children-with-autism/

Relationship between Vitamin Deficiencies and Co-Occurring Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7279218

Impact of Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diet on Behavioural Outcomes and Quality of Life of Autistic Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/7/862

Environmental impact of social emotional psychological/physical abuse.

Lets Stop Calling it ‘the autism’: Autism and Trauma – what’s the connection?

https://blog.donnawilliams.net/2015/01/10/autism-and-trauma-whats-the-connection/

Maybe it's time to look at "autisms" and support people on an individual and person-centred basis.

Post from Helen Autistic Realms please check out her page.

Physical health 55% more gut and digestive system problems compared to the general population
Mental health 3x the odds of self-injurious behaviour and suicidality Other impacts
Around 44% of autistic individuals experience victimisation including bullying, interpersonal, and sexual.

French B, Newell V, Nalbant G, Wright H, Daley D and Cassidy S (2026) Adverse outcomes for autistic people: an umbrella review of mental health, physical health, social and lifestyle domains.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1702822/full

The "Fruit Salad" analogy of autism was created by Donna Williams in 1995, described in her two handbooks Autism: An Inside Out Approach (1996) & The Jumbled Jigsaw (2005).

This includes her blog site which expanded in the notion from a personal and professional lens that autism was a three dimensional condition, which can be identified, recognised and is an empowerment model not a political one.

Now how is it bridge building? Because it doesn't matter what the presentation of autism is, or what the combination of conditions that the person has, their social status or their economic background etc.

If people's realities are discussed, shared with the notion they are people then maybe this would curb the endless arguments about terminology, group think and confirmation bias.

These things aren't socially binding, they divert, block and sometimes even stray so far from what should be looked into.

Such as ethical research, education, housing, day care, hospitals and so that list goes on.

Let's think about objectively looking at autism. It's a good foundational starting point.

Paul Isaacs 2026

I am pleased to be at the Red Kite Family Centre SEND Professionals Networking Event.

This will be on the 9th June 2026, from 9.30am onwards at Thame Cricket Club.

Paul Isaacs 2026